Track Defects and Track-Train Interactions
UndergraduateTAS-JEE1532025
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 21 July 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Track Defects and Track-Train Interactions
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the students should be able to:
- Identify and describe important defects in track with a view to mitigating their effects on the life of the track.
- Describe the growth, detection and consequences of defects in rails to help assure effective rail maintenance.
- Explain the management and mitigation of risks from track & rail defects, for the safe operation of trains.
- Define and describe the dynamic interactions and forces between trains and track so that the wheel-rail interface can be managed properly.
- Explain key characteristics of the wheel-rail interface and its relationship to track alignment and stability for effective design of track.
- Defining Forces and Properties
- Introduction to Track and Train Defects
- Track Defects - Rails
- Track Defects - Substructure
- Vibrations, Creep and Noise
- Straights, Curves and Stability
- L/V, Contact Stresses, Wear Effects
- Monitoring Effects - Rails
- Monitoring other Track Defects
- Defect Response
- Review
In TAS-JEE151 Fundamentals of Track Engineering and in other subjects you learned about the various components from which track is constructed, some of the defects which can occur in those components, and something of the forces generated by a train travelling along a track. In this subject you’ll be delving much deeper into the types of defects which can afflict rails, sleepers, ballast and the track substructure, as well as how to manage those defects and how to mitigate risks of defects interfering with the passage of traffic on a rail line. Those topics naturally lead on then to a detailed study of the interface between trains and track, which happens all within the wheel-rail contact patch. The management of that patch, its effect upon train behaviour and track forces, and the influence of rail and other track defects in the role of the contact patch, comprise the remainder of the subject’s content. This subject has close relationship with TAS-JEE155 Track Design and TAS-JEE154 Track Maintenance and Applications.
- Test or Quiz - Track Defects (50%)
- Report - Train Incident (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- TAS-ENR-DIP-2025 - Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail Specialisation)
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: During the semester there are four 1-hour web conferences
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Diploma of Engineering Infrastructure (Rail Specialisation)
UndergraduateTAS-ENR-DIP